From Ted Lasso to Liga Gimel: Top Football Series and Films to Fill the World Cup Void
Since its 2020 debut on Apple TV, the series "Ted Lasso," starring Jason Sudeikis as an optimistic American football coach leading an English Premier League team, has captivated global audiences and won 13 Emmy Awards, including Best Comedy twice. Netflix's 2018 documentary "Sunderland 'Til I Die" offers an intimate look at the struggles of Sunderland football club and its community, highlighting the emotional and financial challenges behind the sport.
For Argentina fans watching the World Cup final, Asif Kapadia's 2019 documentary "Diego Maradona" is essential viewing, portraying the football legend's rise and fall in Naples through rare archival footage. The 2009 drama "The Damned United" stars Michael Sheen as Brian Clough during his turbulent 44 days managing Leeds United in 1974, exploring the psychological pressures of football management.
"Welcome to Wrexham," a 2022 documentary series, follows Hollywood stars Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney as they take over a struggling Welsh fifth-division club, blending humor with the realities of lower-league football. Netflix's 2020 mini-series "The English Game" dramatizes the origins of modern football in 19th-century Britain, focusing on the sport's transition from upper-class pastime to working-class profession.
Other notable works include the 2021 documentary "Pelé," chronicling the Brazilian legend's career and impact; the 2005 film "Goal!" about a Mexican immigrant's dream to play for Newcastle United; and Amazon Prime's 2018 documentary "All or Nothing: Manchester City," which reveals the inner workings of Pep Guardiola's record-breaking team.
Classic films like John Huston's 1981 "Escape to Victory," set in a WWII POW camp featuring real football stars, and Maya Zinshtein's 2016 documentary "Forever Pure," about the 2012/13 season of Beitar Jerusalem amid fan conflicts, add depth to football's cultural narrative. Israeli productions such as the 2019 documentary "Liga Gimel," exploring lower-league football's social fabric, and the 2006 telenovela "HaAlufa," depicting the lives of Jerusalem footballers, remain beloved for their authentic portrayals.
These series and films collectively offer diverse perspectives on football's social, cultural, and historical significance, providing rich content to engage fans during the World Cup break.
